Device for clarifying and purifying liquids



Aug. 22, 1933. T. E. FRY

DEVICE FOR CLARIFYING AND PURIFYING L'IQUIDS Filed Feb. 27, 19.31

INVENTOR, Tia/775.5217277?.

ATTORNEYS.

Cal

jatentedA ug. 22, 193g UNIT STATES DEVICE FOR CLARIFYING AND PURIFYING LIQUIDS Thomas E. Fry, Kansas City, Mo., assigner to Oscar K. Herndon, Kansas City, Mo.

Application February 27, 1931.

5 Claims.

The present invention relates to clarifying and filtering systems especially adapted for use in freeing cleaning solvents from foreign matter prior to their re-use as a cleaning fluid.

A primary object of the invention is to pro-` vide, within a clarifying system, a solvent cleaning and clarifying unit wherein is constructed means whereby the solvent is quickly and eiiiciently acted upon to the extent that a single passage through this unit is all that is necessary to completely condition the solvent for use in the washer of the system.

A yet further object of the instant invention is the contemplation of a solvent clarifying tank wherein is disposed novel mechanical means for baffling and distributing the solvent which is being freed of foreign matter and impurities prior to its re-use in other parts of a cleaning system.

Still further objects of the invention include the specific relation and form of the bailing and distributing mea-ns which includes a pairof eoacting cones and a perforated disk disposed in working relation to the cones, and all in such a fashion as to thoroughly act upon the solvent being cleaned without disturbing foreign matter or particles which have been divided out during the continuous operation.

Minor objects and details as to construction will appear during the course of the specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical central section through a solvent clarifier, made in accordance with th present invention, and,

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the pair of integral cones forming the most important ele` ment in the distributing means, the same being entirely removed from the tank.

It is necessary to constantly clean and filter the solvent used in dry cleaning systems through the use of filters which quickly and effectively act upon the solvent in a manner to permit its return to the washer of the system where it may again be utilized as a cleaning uid. This invention contemplates the provision of a unit with,- in such a system which will rapidly clean the solvent by passing the same through the unit but once.

In referring to cleaning systems, the well known dry cleaning system of any make is meant, and it is understood that the following described unit may be included as a part of practically any of the existing systems.

Like reference numerals refer to similar parts in the two views of the drawing, and 4 designates Serial No. 518,729

an inlet pipe leading to the small collecting chamber 6 which has a vent 8 therein to` permit the escape of solvent from chamber 6 when a valve, not here shown, interposed in inlet pipe 4 has been closed. Conduit 10 conveys solvent to ce filtered and cleaned to tank 12 and introduces the solvent to said tank 12 through its intake port 14 which enters tank l2 at the lowermost point of its concave bottom 16. A drain pipe 18 having a valve 20 therein joins intake port 14 as illustrated in Fig. 1 and may be used to drain olf settlings which collect in the bottom of tank 12.

An outlet 22 is formed through the side wall of tank l2 and a valve 24 provided to close said outlet when desired. Tank 12 is preferably cylindrical, having a concave bottom 16 as previously described and a removable top 26 which permits access to the tank for the purpose of installing the parts hereinafter described. In practice the lowermost part of tank 12 is filled with a solution of `caustic soda to approximately the level indicated by the dotted line v28. The distributing means for the solvent is preferably disposed in the tank below this line 28.

Tank 12 is further provided with a filter 30 which is preferably located a considerable distance above the bottom of the tank and as close to outlet 22 as possible. This filter 30 may consist of saw dust 32, disposed between fine meshed screen 34. The entire filter 30 should be constructed as a unit for removal and replacement, and lugs 36 provided within tank 12 to support filter 30 at the desired location.

A test valve 38 should beA provided at some point above the hereinafter described distributing means disposed below line 28, which indicates the surface of the caustic soda solution, which, in this instance, is the cleaning agent used.

With respect to the salient feature of this invention, which resides in the combination and. structure found in the distributing means positioned in the lower portion of tank 12.

When the solvent to be cleaned is forced into tank 12 through intake 14, it immediately enters the solution of caustic soda and impinges against the inner side of a cone 40, having a series of openings 42 through the wall thereof which act as distributing means to break up the concentrated flow of solvent passing in through port 14. Cone 40 .is integral vwith and supported by a conical disk 44 which is constructed with a series of radially extending ribs 46 which meet an annular wall 48 extending around the periphery of conical disk 44. This construction creates ahumber of compartment traps beneath the'conical disk 44 and retards the flow lof the solvent owing out of the ycaustic soda solution. A plurality of holes 50 formed through-conical disk 44 further distribute the upwardly passing solvent. Collected oils may be drained offthrough pipe 60 having a valve 62, and a flushing hose may be inserted at this point for cleaning.

The bases of cone 40 and conical disk 44 are disposed in opposite directions and the apex of cone 40 extends into conical disk 44. Openings 42, formed through the wall of cone 40 are arranged so that at least one of these openings 42 is in communication with each compartment trap formed on the under side of disk 44 by the ribs and wall 46 and 48 respectively. A number of brackets 52 are provided to support the two cones 40 and 44 and are positionedto directly support conical disk 44 in spaced relation with respect to bottom 16 and the side of tank 12. Thus a settling compartment is presented in the lowermost part of tank 12.

Immediately above lthe two cones just described, is positioned a yplate 54 having a plurality oi perforations 56 formed therethrough to further act upon the solvent to retard its rapid ilow within the caustic soda solution, whereby all foreign matter may be divided therefrom before passing upwardly through lter 30 and thence through outlet 22 to a point of re-use. Lugs 58 support plate 54 to permit its removal and if desired a thin coating of charcoal maybe spread over plate 54 to assist the nltration process to the extent of absorbing out any coloring matter which might be carried by the solvent being cleaned.

It has been found that distributing means such as that just described will effectively break up and maintain a stream of cleaning solvent within the caustic soda or other agent a length of time which is ample to thoroughly condition the'solvent for use in the washer of the cleaning system.

Whilemany changes as'to specific structure might be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is desired that the scope of the appended claims be relied upon to fully set down the broad concept. I n f Having thusl described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A clarifying device for solvents, comprising a tank, having an intake and an outlet port; distributing means for the solvent within the tank and between said ports comprising a pair of oppositely disposed and interconnected perforated cones, a perforated plate adjacent said cones;v and depending ribs integral with one of said cones whereby to divide the lower side thereor" into a plurality of compartment traps.

2. A clarifying device for solvents, comprising a tank, having an intake and an outlet port; distributing means for the solvent Within the tank and between said ports comprising a pair of perforated cones; and a perforated plate above said cones, said cones having their bases projected in opposite directions and the sides thereof interysecting.

3. In a solvent clarifying tank, distributing means for the solvent comprising a conical disk having a plurality of holes therethrough; a cone integral with said conical disk having its apex projecting through the said disk; and a series of openings through said cone at points outside the conical disk.

4. In' a solvent clarifying tank, distributing means for the solvent comprising a conical disk having a plurality oi holes therethrough; a cone integral with said conical disk having its apex projecting through the said disk; a plurality of radial ribs integral with said conical disk to form compartment traps; and a series of openings through said cone at points outside the conical disk and in communication with all of said compartment traps.

5. A clarifying device for solvents, comprising a tank, having an intake and an outlet port; distributing means for the solvent within the tank and between said ports comprising a pair of interconnected, perforated cones having their faces projected in opposite directions, a perforated plate positioned above and adjacent said cones; and common means for removably supporting said cones in spaced relation to the bottom of said tank. I v

THOMAS E. FRY. 

